Boxing-machine for cans.



' c. w. BLACKSTONE.

BOXINGVMACHINE FOR CANS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28. 1916.

Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

M45 SHO/:14u13 .5:

C. W. BLACKSTONE.

BOXING MACHINE FOR CANS.

APPLICATION man ocT.28,191s.

1,286,212. l Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

5 SHEETS*SHEE 2.

S14/venida:

C. W. BLACKSTONE.

BoxlNG MACHINE FOR cANs.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28. I9I6.

1,286,212. Pntenfed Dec. 3, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHED 3.

Snom/Vioxx I Za/5,0%@ fe/Q50@ @tto/megs:

BLACKSTONE.

BOXING MACHINE FOR CANS.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 28. I9Is.

Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEE 4.

@few-Mmmm c. w'. BLAcKsToNE. BOXING MACHINE FOR CANS. l

APPLICATION FILED`OCT. 28. |916. l 1,286,212. Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEEI 5- S14/vanto@ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE WILLARD BLACKSTONE, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE FRED H. KNAPP COMPANY, 0F WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

,BOXING-MACHINE FOR CANS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

Application led October 28, 1916. Serial No. 128,249.

To all whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE W. BLACK- s'roxn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boxing- Machines for Cans, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to boxing machines for cans, cartons or the like,-the machine being of that character adapted to assemble a supply of cans, usually lled, and position the same within a box or casing.

In the pendingv application of Haywood G. Dewey, No. 81,449 filed March 1, 1916, there is illustrated and described a machine of this general character, which h as proven highly efficient and satisfactory in'use, as well as commercially practical, and 1t is the primary object of the present'inventionto provide certain improvements in a machine of this type, whereby to obtain even better and more satisfactory results, without any appreciable increased cost, and while preserving many of the advantages of the machines of the character contemplated 1n the application referred to.

One of the primary features of the present invention resides in the provision. of novel and improved means for assembling the cans in boxing position.

In machines of the character under considera-tion, a runway or series of runways is provided for the supply of cans which latter aie adapted to roll along the runway and when properly positioned with respect to the boxing mechanism, ejecting mechanism is brought into play whereby to engage the foremost series of cans in the runway and move the same laterally or into boxing yblades when moved to can separating position, mai-ring or damaging the labels applied to the cans, and there 1s also a possibility of the series of cans to be ejected not being sufficiently separated from the supply of cans which might result in interengagement of the caps or peripheral flanges of adjacent cans thus interfering with the ejecting movement of the cans to be boxed. While these difficulties and possibilities are quite the exception, at the same time the incident objection has led to the conception of the present invention, which, includes means permitting the series of cans to be boxed to be properly spaced from the supply of cans at the time of the ejecting operation, and means for interrupting the movement of the supply of cans during. the said ejecting operation.

In carrying out the invention, it is proposed to provide novel and eh'icient means intermediate the ends of the runway or runways to interrupt the movement of the supply of cans, and this without in any way damaging the cans or the labels applied thereto.

It is further proposed to provide releasable can restraining means adjacent the end of the runway and normally positioned in the path of the forward series of cans, said means being adapted to be moved into can releasing position to permit continued movement of the forward seiies ofcans prior to the can ejecting operation with the result that said forward series of cans will be spaced in the runway from the main supply of cans, the movement of which has been .interrupted in the manner just referred to.

whereby to make the various operations sub- Y stantially automatic.

It is also contemplated by theinvention to provide a novel construction and arrangement of box support, further tending to prevent any mairing of the labels on the cans as the latter are positioned within the box, as well as making possible a more really and convenient application of the box in can receiving position.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of novel and improved can guiding means in operative association with the box support, whereby the cans as moved by the can ejecting mechanism will more readily be positioned in boxing position and without the possibility of becomingwedged. or damaged during the ejecting and positioning operation.

Still 'other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of the various parts of the invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, from the description to follow, which for a comprehensive understanding of the invention is to be considered in connection with'the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed for the purpose of illustration, a convenient and satisfactory embodiment of the invention. In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the invention; and, v

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail views. With more particular reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, a suitable framework is provided, the same including a front bar l, a rear bar 2, the rear bar being preferably arranged in a lower horizontal plane than the front bar, whereby to support a superimposed, transversely extending runway supporting frame 3 in a position inclining from the rear bar 2 upwardly toward the front end of the framework 3. Suitable supporting standards 4 depend from one end of the framework 1 2, and suitable legs or standards 5 depend from the framework 3 adjacent opposite ends of the latter, said stand-` ards being adapted to engage the surface or to have suitable. anti-friction bearings orV rollers whereby the machine may be transported from place to place over the surface. Positioned upon the framework 3 are a series of pans or trays which constitute vertically spaced elongated runways for cans, three of such runways being employed herein for the purpose of illustration, though it is appreciated that any number may be use-d, according to the size of the box or case to be filled. The said runways 6, 7 and 8 conveniently have a side flange 6a, 7a, and 8a respectively whereby to engage one end-of the cans and maintain the same on the runways as the cans roll along the runways, it being understood that because of the inclination of the 60 supporting frame 3, the runways will like- Wise incline toward the rear end thereof. The inner sides of the runways are also provided with flanges, but these flanges preferj ably terminate at a point substantially midt way of the ends of the runway whereby to 19, rear side 20 and front side 21.

able rest or platform-22 is positioned on the 1.15

permit the cans to be ejected laterally from the runways and into position to be boxed. The sides 9 of the can distributing means constitute supports for the front ends of the runways, and this distributing means may be of any appropriate character such as illustrated in the copending application of H. G. Dewey, Ser. No. 81,449 heretofore referred to, it being understood that the cans are adapted to be distributed to the respective runways whereby to fill the same, the forward series of cans at the rear ends of the runways being adapted to be separated from the supply of cans in the runways and ejected laterally into boxing position. This ejecting mechanism is quite similar in all material respects to that illustrated and described in the Dewey application, Ser. No. 81,449 referred to, and it will only be necessary to generally refer to the details thereof herein.

rlhe ejecting mechanism takes the form of plungers which are illustrated at 10, there being a plunger for each runway and the same being adapted to move in the space above each runway to engage the ends of a series of cans on said runways. The lower plunger has an anti-friction bearing on a suitable support, and said plungers are loosely connected as by brackets 11 to rock 95 arms 12 mounted upon a rock shaft 13, the said rock arms 12 being in turn adapted to be moved back and forth through the medium of a reach rod 14 connected to one end of a bell crank lever 15, which is adapted to be actuated by treadle mechanism 16. A spring member 17 serves tol normally maintain said treadle in elevated position and through the medium of the connecting mechanism just described, the rock arms l2 105 and connected plungers will be normally maintained in outward position or out of engagement with the cans, suitable stops being provided to limit the inward and outward movement of the rock arms 12.

' A support for the box or case to be filled includes a rectangular frame preferably of sheet metal and comprising a top 18, bottom A suit'- frame 1 2, said platform underlying the bottom wall 19 of the box support and projecting a considerable distance therebeyond, whereby to assist the assembling of the box upon the frame and whereby to constitute a rest for the can filled box when removed from the box support. lt is understood that the box supporting frame is of a size to readily permit the box to have a sleeved engagement therewith, the bottom of the sup- M5 porting frame and the `top of the rest or platform 22 being sufficiently spaced from one another to permit the box to slide into position over the supporting frame or into a position out of engagement with the supwe porting frame whereby to rest upon the platform 22. It is customary to .provide suitable braces in the corners of the packing boxes or cases X and the box supporting frame is preferably of a construction to' accommodate boxes or crates of this character. That is to say, the top and bottom walls 18 and 19 connect with the side walls 20 and 21 by angle corner parts 18". This construction of frame not only permits the boxes to be readily assembled, but also assists in theassemblingof the cans in the box without marring or injuring the labels on the cans, and without any possibility of the ends of the cans contacting with the ends of the braces w, which would impede the assembling operation. The rear side 20 of the box support preferably projects laterally a sufiicient distance to constitute a rear end for the runways and limit the rolling movement of the cans along the runways. The front side 21 is extended laterally at 21a to a point adjacent the inner side of the can runways, andsaid extension 21a inclines outwardly from the body portion of the side 21 to its point of connection with the sides of the runway.A The top wall 18 has an upwardly inclined forward extension 18, and the bottom wall 19 constitutes in effect a continuation of the bottom wall of the lower can runway. It will be observed that because of the peculiar construction of the extension 21a and 18, of the side and top walls of the'box support respectively, these parts form guides for the cans in the positioning of the same within the box support.

The means for separating the series of cans to be boxed from the supply of cans in the runway, and for interrupting the movement of the supply of cans while the said separated series of cans are ejected from the runways, will now be described. A releasable abutment is provided for the foremost can at the rear end of the runways, said abutment conveniently taking the form of bars or fingers 23 projecting transversely of the runway adjacent the end wall 18 of the runway. The fingers are adapted to be reciprocated vertically and when in uppermost position are adapted to coact the periphery of the foremost cans at a point in substantial horizontal alinement with the longitudinal axis of the cans, and said fin gers when in lowered position are adapted to be moved out of contact with the cans, whereby to permit the latter to continue their rolling movement into contact with the end wall or abutment 18n of the runways. The fingers 23 are mounted upon a bar 24 which latter has vertically extending slots 25 in which are positioned guide pins 26 fixed upon a stationary bracket 27 mounted upon 'the frame-work of lthc machine. The plate 24 and fingers 23 are of im sufficient weight to fall by gravity into lowered position, and a rock arm 28 is adapted .at one end 29to engage the undersurface of the plate 24, the said rock arm being pivotally mounted at 30 upon a suitable bearing 31 on the frame-work of the machine and having an upwardly turned end 32 adaptedto be engaged by a roller 33 mounted upon one of the rock arms 12 of the ejecting Iplunger mechanism.. It will be noted that of the rock arm 28 in lowered position and the opposite end of the arm 29 in contact with the plate 24 in raised position, and thereby maintaining the fingers,in elevated position, whereby to interrupt .the forward movement of the cans. When'however the plunger mechanism is moved forwardly whereby to engage the cans, the roller 33 of the vroclr arm 12 will move out of engagement with the upper surface 32 of the projection 32 thereby permitting the plate 24 and fingers carried thereby to automaticallyT drop by gravity to release the foremost cans and permit the same to move in contact with the end wall or abutment at the lower end of the runways.

While the auxiliary abutment fingers 23 are in elevated or active position to contact with the foremost'cans it is desirable to engage and maintain stationary the supply of cans in the runway succeeding the series of cans to be ejected into boxing position, the said means being adapted to remain in can holding position while the said series of cans are moved'into/.contactwith the end abutment after the release of' the abutment fingers 23.

In carrying out this feature of the invention, there is referably arranged a series of yieldable a utments 34 conveniently of reinforced leather, the said abutments being mounted upon pintles 35, projecting through apertures in an elongated rock arm 36 pivotally mounted at 37 upon the frame-work of the machine. It is understood of course that there is an abutment member 34 for each runway, and said abutments arejyieldably supported through the' medium of spiral springs 38 positioned upon the pintles 35 between the abutments proper 34 and the rock arm 36. Projecting rearwardly from the arm 36 is'an elongated bar 39 having a curved undersurface 40 connecting with a recessed portion 41 and a downwardly projecting end abutment 42. Adapted to engage the undersurface of the arm 39 is a roller bearing 43 mounted upon one of the rock arms 12 of the ejecting mechanism. The parts just described are constructed and arranged whereby when the rock arms 12 are in inactive position, the abutment members 34 will be positioned to one side sol of the runways whereby the cans are free to move along the same. At this time, the roller bearing 43 will be in engagement with the recessed portion 41 and end abutment 42 of the arm 39. When the plunger mechanism is moved forwardly under the action of the treadle mechanism 16 heretofore de-y the supply of cans, prior to the lowering movement of the auxiliary abutment members 23, and owing to the engagement ofl the roller 43 with the arm 39, the abutment members 34 will be maintained in can holding position when owing to the continued forward movement of the plungers, the fingers 23 are allowed to fall thereby separating the series of cans to be boxed from the main supply in the runways. The continued movement of the plungers will bring OES the same in Contact withthe separated cans whereby to eject the same from the runway.

It has been ascertained that the form of spacing mechanism employed herein is highly satisfactory for the purposes intended and that the boxed cans or labels thereon, will be absolutely free from damage.

The general operation will be understood by those skilled in the art. The operator places the open end of the box or casing over the rectangular box and can support, and the runways are filled with cans. Downward movement is thereupon imparted to the treadle mechanismM 16, the initial movement being adapted to position the abutment members 34 in holding contact with cans arranged rearwardly of the series of cans to be boxed. 'Thereupom the auxiliary abutment fingers 23 are lowered out of contact with the forward series of cans which are allowed to move downwardly into contact with the end of the abutment, said series being thereby separated from the main supply of cans in the runway. The continued lowering movement of the treadle thereupon brings the plunger into contact with the ends of the separated series of cans, thereby forcing thesame out of the runways and into the extended Walls of the box support, the inclined character of the walls 21a and 18l1 guiding the cans into place., The operation is repeated until the box or casnaeaaia ing has been filled with cans and shoved from off the box support on to the platform 22. v

In the description and claims wherein the term can or cans may be referred to as the article to be boxed, this term is to be understood as a general one including various types of cartons or packages which may be forward seriesof cans on the runway, a can stop for a rearward series of cans on the runway, can abutment means at the dis` charge end of the runway for limiting the movement of cans, an auxiliary can abut ment adjacent said end-of the runway, and connected mechanism for first moving the can stop into can stopping position, thereafter moving the auxiliaryabutment into can releasing position to permit the forward series of cans to contact with the end abutment, and for finally moving the ejecting mechanism to move the forward seriesof separated cans into boxing position.

3. lin a can boxing machine, the combination of a runway for cans to be boxed, means for ejecting a series of cans from the runway into boxing position comprising a plunger adapted to engage the series of cans, means for interrupting the movement of succeeding cans during the ejecting operation, and means permitting said series of cans to move along the runway to be separated from said succeeding cans prior to the ejecting operation. 1

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a series of superimposed runways for cans to be boxed,

andmeans for simultaneously ejecting a series of cans from each runway into position to be boxed, ejecting means comprising a plurality of connected plungers adapted to engage one end of the cans,'and means permitting said series of cans to have independent movement along the runways whereby to be separated from the supply of cans in the runways prior to the ejecting operatlon. y

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway along which cans are adapted to roll, a stop to limit the movement of a forward series of cans along the runway, means for ejecting said series .of cans laterally from off said runway into boxing position, and means to engage a succeeding can at its end to interrupt the movement thereofcwhile said preceding series is being ejected.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway along which cans are adapted to roll, a stop to limit the movement of cans along the runway, means for ejecting a series of cans laterally from off said runway into boxing position, and means to engage a succeeding can at its end to interrupt the movement thereof while the preceding series. is being ejected, and an auxiliary movable can stop for interrupting the movement of said series of cans and adapted when released to permit said series of cans to be moved into contact with the first mentioned stop and into spaced position relative to the succeeding cans in the runway, prior to the ejecting operation.

7. In a machine of the character described, the4 combination of a'runway along which cans are adapted to roll, a stationary stop to limit the movement' of cans along the runway, means for ejecting a series of cans laterally from off said runway into boxing position, and means to engage a succeeding can at its end to interrupt the movement thereof while said series is being ejected, a temporary can stop for interrupting the movement of the supply of cans and adapted to be moved to permit said series ofcans to be moved into contact with the stationary stop and in spaced position relative to the succeeding cans in the runway and prior to the ejecting operation, said can engaging means and temporary stop being actuated by the ejecting mechanism.

8. In a can boxing machine, the combination of a runway for cans to be boxed, `and means for separating a series of cans from the supply in the runway whereby said series may be moved laterally from the runway into boxingposition` said means including a can stop intermediate the ends of the runway adapted to interrupt movement of cans succeeding said series` and a movable can stop arranged forwardly of said series.

9. In a can boxing machine` the combination of a runway for'cans to be boxed, and means for separating a series of cans from the supply in the runway whereby said series may be moved laterally from the runway into boxing position, said means including a can stop intermediate the endsof the runway adapted to interrupt movement of cans succeeding said series, a movable can stop arranged forwardly of said series, can ejecting mechanism for said series of cans, said can ejecting mechanism having means operatively associated with said movable can stop to move the latter into can releasing po` sition prior to the ejecting operation, and

means for limiting the movement of the' released cans whereby the same are maintained in can ejecting position.

10. In a can boxing machine, the combination of a can runway, a can abutment member adjacent the end thereof, an auxiliary movable abutment member in advance of the first Vmentioned abutment, means for moving the auxiliary abutment member into and out of can stopping position, and means for interrupting the movement of a succeeding series of cans to permit a forward series of cans to move into contact with the first mentioned abutment when said auxiliary abutment is moved out of can stopping position.

` 1l. In a. can boxing machine, the combination of a can runway, a can abutment member adjacent the end thereof, an auxiliary movable abutment member in advance of the first mentioned abutment, means for moving the auxiliary abutment member into and out of can stopping position, and means for interrupting the movement of a succeeding series of cans to permit a forward series of cans to move into contact with the first mentioned abutment when said auxiliary abutmentis moved out of can stopping position, and a plunger to engage the forward series of cans to eject the same into boxing position.

12. In a can boxing machine, the combination of a can runway, a can abutment member adjacent the end thereof, an auxiliary movable abutment member in advance of the first mentioned abutment, means for moving the auxiliary abutment member into and out of can stopping position, aiid means for interrupting the movement of a succeeding series of cans to permit a forward series of cans to move into contact with the first mentioned abutment when said auxiliary abutment is moved out of can stopping position, a plunger to engage the forward series of cans to eject the same into boxing position, and an actuating'connection between said plunger and the auxiliary abutment.

13. In a can boxing machine, the combination of a can runway, a can abutment member adjacent the end thereof, an auxiliary movable abutment member in advance of the first mentioned abutment, means for moving the auxiliary abutment member into and out of can stopping position, and means for interrupting the movement of a succeeding series of cans to permit a forward 'series of cans to move into contact with the first mentioned abutment when said auxiliary abutment is moved out of can stopping position, a plunger to engage the forward series of cans to eject the same into boxing position, and means actuated by said plunger for operating said can interrupting means and auxiliary abutment member.

14. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway adapted to permit cans to roll along the same and having a stop at the rear end thereof, and movable means adjacent said stop to temporarily restrict the rolling movement of the cans and thereafter to permit the cans to contact with said stop.

' 15. In a machine of the 'character described, the combination of a runway adapted to permit cans to roll along the same and having a stop at the rear end thereof, movable means adjacent said stop to tem-l porarily restrict the rolling movement of the cans and thereafter to permit the cans to contact with said stop, and can ejecting mechanism operable when the cans are in the last mentioned position. i

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway adapted to permit cans td roll along the same and having a stop at the rear end thereof, movable means adjacent said stop to temporarily restrict the rolling movement of the cans and thereafter to permit the cans to contact with said stop, can ejecting mechanism operable when the cans are in the last mentioned position, and can holding means adapted to interrupt themovement of the can supply during the last mentioned movement of a forward series of cans.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway vadapted to permit cans to roll along the same and having a stopat the rear end thereof, .movable means adjacent said stop to temporarily restrict the rolling movement of the cans and thereafter to permit the cans to contact with said stop, can ejecting mechanism operable when the cans" are in the last mentioned position, and a box support, said mechanism being adapted to move the cans endwise from the runway into said supported boX.-

18. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway adapted to permit cans to roll along the same and having a stop at the rear end thereof, means adjacent said stop to temporarily restrict the rolling movement of the cans, movable can engaging means spaced forwardly of said can restricting means to interrupt the movement of succeeding cans, and means for releasing said can restricting means as said can engaging means is moved to holding position.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination ofv a can runway, means for interrupting the movement of cans along the runway, can engaging means intermediate the ends of the runway to hold a series vof succeeding cansin stationary position, and means for moving the first mentioned means to permlt continued movement of the foremost cans.

Laeaaia 20. In a machine ofthe character described, the combination of a can runway, means for interrupting the movement of cans along the runway, can engaging means intermediate the ends of the runway to hold a succeeding series of cans in stationary position, means for moving the first mentioned means to permit further movement of the foremost series of cans, means for interrupting said further movement, and can ejecting means to act on the formost series of cans whose movement has been interrupted.

21. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway for cans, acan engaging member,` a plunger for ejecting cans laterally out of the runway, and an actuating connection between the plunger and can engagingmember.

22. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway, a canejecting plunger, a rock arm for the latter,I

-a can engaging member movable into and out of contact with the end of a ca n on a runway, and an operating connection between said engaging member and said rock arm. l

23. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination of a runway, a can ejecting plunger, a rock arm for the latter, av can engaging member movable into and out of contact with the end of a canon a runway, an actuating association between said engaging member and said rock arm, y

including a roller on the rock arm and a guide arm to engage said roller operatively connected with the engaging member.

24. In a machine of the character de-4 scribed, the combination' of a can runway,A a plunger for ejecting cans laterally from the runway into boxing position, a vertically movable can stop, a rock arm for the plunger, a roller on the rock arm and an actuating arm to engage said' roller operatively connected With said can stop.

25. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a can runway, a a plunger for ejecting cans from said runway into a boxing position, the said plunger having rock arm supports adjacent opposite sides, a vertically movable can stop operatively connected with one of said arms, and laterally movable can stop operatively connected with the other of said rock arms.

26. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a can runway, a plunger for ejecting cans from said runway into can boxing position, and movable can stopping means adjacent the opposite and actuating connections between said stops and the plunger whereby as one of said stops is moved into can holding position, the other is moved into can releasing position.

Q8. In a machine of the character described, t-he combination of a can runway having a flange at one side to engage one end of the can, a yieldable abutment member adapted to engage the vopposite end of the can, and a movable support.- for said abutment member.

29. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a can runway having a flange at one side to engage one end of the can, a yieldable abutment member adapted to engage the opposite end of a can, a movable support for said abutment member, a can ejecting plunger moving laterally 4across the runway, and an actuating means between said abutment and plunger.

30. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of vertically spaced runways having a fixed can abutment for one end of the cans, and a movable can abutment for the opposite end of the cans on said runways, an arm support for said movable abutments, a movable can ejecting plunger, and an actuating connectionl between said ejecting plunger and arm support.

31. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of vertically spaced runways having a fixed can abutment for one end of the cans, and a movable can abutment for the opposite end of the cans on said runways, an arm support for said movable abutments, a movable can ejecting plunger having a roller bearing thereon, and a guide arm to engage said bearing and connected to said abutment arm whereby to actuate the latter to move the movable abutments into and out of can holding position according to the movement of the plunger.

32. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a can runway havinga fixed can abutment at the rear end thereof, a movable can abutment adjacent the fixed can abutment, a movable plunger to eject cans from said runway, and connection between said movable abutment member and plunger whereby to move the movable abutment member out of holding contact with the cans and permit the latter to engage'the fixed abutment as said plunger is moved into contact with the cans.

33. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway having a fixed abutment at therear end thereof for the foremost cans, and a movable abutment arranged adjacent the fixed abutment and in advance thereof to temporarily interrupt the movement of the cans. a plunger for ejecting the cans from the runway, and autoterrupt the movement of the cans, a plunger for ejecting the cans from the runway, means for movlng the movable can abutment member into can releasing pos1t1on to allow the cans to contact with the fixed abutment prior to the ejecting operation, and movable means acting automatically to maintain stationary a supply of cans in the runway during the movement of the foremost cans into contact with the fixed abutment and while said foremost cansV are being ejected.

35. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway for cans, a plunger movable laterally of the runwayv to eject the cans therefrom, and a rectangular substantially closed box support arranged to the side of th'e runway into which the cans are ejected, the foremost end of said box support having one or more flared walls, whereby to facilitate the'entrance ofthe cans thereinto.

36. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway for cans, a plunger movable laterally of the runway to eject the cans therefrom, a rectangular-substantially closed box support -arranged at the side of the runway into which the cans are ejected, one of the side walls of the box support constituting in effect a continuation of the end abutment wall at the rear end of the runway.

37. In a machine of the character described, the combination ofa runway for cans, a plunger movable laterally of the runway to eject the cans therefrom, and a rectangular substantially closed box support arranged to the side of the runway into which the cans are ejected, one of the side walls of said box support having an outwardly extending part adjacent the runway to provide an enlarged entrance for the cans.

38. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway for cans, a plunger movable laterally of the runway to eject the cans therefrom, and a rectangular substantially closed box support arranged to the side of the runway into which the cans are ejected` the front side wall of the box support'inclining outwardly toward the runway whereby to provide an enlarged entrance for the cans from the runway.

39. In a machine of the characterde- Iscribed, thc combination of a runway for ejected from said runways, said support be ing enlarged at that side thereof connecting with the runways. i

41.In a can boxing machine, the combination of a series of vertically spaced alined runways, can ejecting means common to the series of runways adapted to engage one end of the cans and discharge the same laterally from said runways into a box or case, and a supporting frame for the box or case comprising a rectangular frame open at opposite ends and comprising top, bottom and side walls, the top and bottom walls connecting with the side walls by angle corner pieces.

42. In a can boxing machine, the combination of a series of vertically spaced alined runways, can ejecting means common to the series of runways adapted to engage one end of the cans and discharge the same laterally from said runways into a box or case, and a supporting frame for the box or case comprising top, bottom, and side walls, said walls connecting with one another by beveled corners, said frame being open at opposite ends and the top wall of the frame adjacent the ejecting means being tapered upwardly. v

43. In a can boxing machine, the combination of a series of vertically spaced alined runways, can ejecting means common to the series of runways adapted to engage one end of the cans and discharge the same laterally from said runways into a box on casing, and a supporting frame for the box or casing comprising sheet metal top, bottom and side walls connecting with one another by beveled corner pieces, the top wall having an upwardly struck edge whereby to provide an enlarged entrance end for the frame adjacent the ejecting mechanism, and said opposite end of the frame being open.

44. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway for cans, a relatively fixed end abutment for the cans, and a temporary abutment arranged adjacent the fixed abutment and movable into and out of position to interrupt the' movement of the cans along the runway, and means for actuating such abutment.

45. In a machine of'the character described, the combination of a runway for erative Connection between said ejectingA plunger and temporary abutmentv whereby said abutment is moved out of can abutting position as the cans are engaged by the ejecting plunger.

46. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway for cans, a relatively fixed end abutment for the cans, and a temporary abutment arranged adjacent the fixed abutment and movable into and out of position to interrupt the movement of the cans along the runway, a can-engaging member separated from said temporary abutment, and operative connection between said can-engaging member and temporary abutment whereby as the can-engaging member is moved into position to engage a succeeding can, the temporary abutment is moved out of abutting position to permit a forward can or-forward series of cans to contact with the fixed abutment.

47. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway for cans, arelatively fixed end abutment for the cans, and a temporary abutment arranged adjacent the fixed abutment and movable into and out of position to interrupt the movement of the cans along the runway, a can-engaging member separated from said temporary abutment, and operative connection between said can-engaging member and temporary abutment whereby as the can-engaging member is moved into position to engage a succeeding can, the temporary abutment is moved out of abutting position to permit a forward can or forward series of cans to contact with the fixed abutment, and an ejecting plunger operating upon said forward series of cans as the temporary abutment is moved out of can abutting position.

48. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway for a series of cans. said runway having a relatively fixed abutment and a movable temporary abutment adjacent the fixed abutment to temporarily limit the movement of cans along the runway, means for moving the temporary abutment out of can abutting position, and said temporary abutment being adapted to move in an opposite direction by gravity into can abutting position.

49. In a machine of the character described, the combination of an inclined runway for cans having a relatively fixed abutment at the lower end of the runway, and a temporary abutment `adjacent the fixed abutment comprising a member projecting transversely across the runway in the path of the cans, and means for moving said temporary abutment vertically into and out 0f can abutting position.

50. In a machine of the character described, the combination of an inclined runway for cans having a relatively fixed abutment at the lower end of the runway, and a temporary abutment adjacent the fixed abutment comprising a member projecting transversely across the runway in the path of the cans, and means for moving said temporary abutment vertically into and out of can abutting position, and an ejector mechanism for laterally moving the cans from the runway when the cans have beenreleased v.by -the temporary abutment.

51. In a machine of lthe character described, the combination of a series of superimposed inclined runways to support a plurality of series of cans, said runways having at the lower; ends thereof a relatively fixed abutment, transversely disposed temporary abutment members arranged adjacent the fixed abutment's to temporarily interrupt the movement ofthe cans along, the runways, and connected means for simultaneously moving said temporary abutments out of can abutting position whereby the plurality of series of cans may continue the rolling movement along the runway into contact with fixed abutments.

52. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a series of superimposed inclined runways to supporta' pluralitv of series of cans, said runways having at the lower ends thereof a relatively nxed abutment, transversely disposed temporary abutment members arranged adjacent the fixed abutments to temporarily interrupt the movement of the cans along the runways, connected mechamsm fo:` simultaneously moving said temporary abutments out of can abutting position whereby the plurality'of series of cans may continue the rolling movement along the runway into contact with fixed abutments, and can engaging members arranged rearwardly of the temporary abutment members and operatively associated with the latter whereby to engagea succeeding series of cans to maintain the salne in stationary position on the runway as the forwardseries of cans move into contact with the fixed abutment.

53. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a series of superimposed inclined runways to support a plurality of series of cans, said runways having at the lower ends thereof a relatively fixed abutment, transversely disposed temporary abutment members arranged adjacent the fixed abutments to temporarily interrupt the movement of the cans along the runways, and connected means for simultaneously moving said temporary abutments out. of can abutting position whereby the plurality of series of cans may continue the rolling movement along the runways into contact with fixed abutments, can engaging members for a rearward 4series of cans on said runways, and ejector mechanism operative-ly associated with both the temporary abutment members and said can engaging members to move the forward series of cans laterally relative the runway as the can abutment members are moved into can releasing positions.

54:. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a runway for cans, an abutment at the lower end of the runway and a can-engaging member intermediate the ends of the runway comprising a plunger to engage the end of a can, means for moving said plunger in one direction, and yieldable means for exerting movement to the plunger in an opposite direction.

55. In a machine of the character describedthe combination of an inclined runway for cans, an abutment at the lower end of the runway, and means intermediate the ends of the runway to interrupt the movement of a series of succeeding cans comprising a spring'pressed plunger to engage the end of one of the series of succeeding cans, and means for moving said plunger to can engaging position.

56. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a vertically spaced series of inclined runways adapted to support a plurality of series of cans, each of said runways having an abutment at the lower end thereof, a vertically disposed support intermediate the ends of the runway, and yieldable plungers mounted upon said support and adapted to engage the end of a can of each vertical series, and means for moving said support whereby to simultaneously move the plungers into and out of canenga'ging position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my Witnesses:

JAMES R. EDWARDS, CHAs. REICHARD. 

